Summary

This text traces the history of English language spread from the 18th to the beginning of the 21st century, combining that with a study of its langauge change. It links linguistic and sociolinguistic variables that have conditioned the evolution and change of English, putting forward a new framework of language spread and change.

Author Biography:

Janina Brutt-Griffler, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor in the English Department at the University of Alabama. Her research areas include world English, applied linguistics, sociolinguistics, second language acquisition and second language writing. Her work has appeared in major English studies journals.